Looking for an exciting opportunity to make a real impact?
Join us and have your culinary skills truly mean something!
Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Head Cook (PCN 122922) to join our team. The Head Cook plays a key leadership role in maintaining a structured, safe, and efficient kitchen environment. This position ensures high-quality food preparation, supports menu planning, and guides clients who are learning food service skills as part of their recovery journey. This role may also support the food operations of the greater Connecticut Valley Hospital campus.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
- Work Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
- Work Shift: First shift, 5:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Location: 12 Joyce Drive, Middletown, CT
The Valley View Café (operating as Valley View To Go) is a purpose-driven, fast-casual restaurant located on the campus of the Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, CT. It serves as a vital community hub that seamlessly blends affordable dining with psychiatric and addiction rehabilitation.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
- Prepare and cook food for daily service using short-order and café‑style techniques
- Lead and oversee kitchen operations to maintain consistency, cleanliness, and safety
- Train and guide clients participating in supported vocational activities
- Coordinate daily and weekly menus, including specials
- Maintain inventory and manage food and supply ordering
- Operate point-of-sale systems and follow cash and credit handling procedures
- Assist with maintaining a supportive, respectful, and efficient work environment
- Collaborate with clinical and vocational staff as needed to support client skill development
MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.
The Connecticut Valley Hospital boasts a rich history first opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital we provide treatment of mental illness and currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In our operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated in our recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process.
Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!
Please note:
- A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
- All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Joseph K. Fried at [email protected].
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
This class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor for food service employees engaged in the preparation and cooking of food.
- Plans kitchen workflow and determines priorities;
- Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews work;
- Establishes and maintains kitchen procedures;
- Provides staff training and assistance;
- Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
- Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
- Inspects and requisitions food and supplies;
- Supervises the cleaning of kitchen and other food service areas and of equipment;
- May make recommendations on policies or standards;
- May prepare reports and correspondence;
- May plan menus and be responsible for serving of meals;
- Performs the full range of duties as outlined in the Cook specification;
- Performs related duties as required.
- Considerable knowledge of
- and ability to apply cooking principles and techniques on a quantity basis;
- institutional cooking methods;
- Knowledge of health and safety requirements in food service;
- Skills
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- prepare menus and keep records;
- utilize computer software;
- Supervisory ability.
Three (3) years of experience in the preparation and cooking of food.
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the preparation of food on a quantity basis.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Cook.
- Experience performing short-order or fast-paced cooking in a café, diner, or similar food service environment.
- Experience with menu planning, including daily specials.
- Experience with credit and cash handling procedures and point-of-sale systems.
- Experience with food and supply ordering and maintaining inventory.
- Experience in roles requiring clear communication and consistent interaction with diverse groups, including staff, clients, and the public.
- Experience leading or supervising staff, trainees, or volunteers in a food service environment.
- Possess certification in food safety or sanitation (e.g., ServSafe® Food Handler or Manager).
- Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
- Incumbents must be free from communicable diseases.
- A physical examination may be required.
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to risk of injury from equipment and utensils used in the kitchen and from patients/clients.
